California Passes ATM Security Law

California Passes ATM Security Law

Article excerpt

California bankers now have two laws that effect the physical characteristics of their automated teller machines--a new state law on security and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

According to a legislative summary written by the California Bankers Association, the new state law requires ATM operators to evaluate the safety of existing and new ATMs by July 1 of this year.

The evaluations have to include consideration of specific lighting standards; the presence of landscaping, vegetation, or other obstructions in the area of the ATM, the access area, and the defined parking area; and the incidence of violent crimes in the area of the ATM.

All ATMs installed in California on or after July 1 of this year have to have lighting of a specific minimum intensity at the machine and within a five-foot radius from the machine. Light of a lower minimum intensity must be provided for the area within a 50-foot radius from the machine and for any defined parking area. ATM operators have until July 1, 1993, to bring existing ATMs into compliance with the lighting standards.

The law also requires issuers of ATM cards to provide new and existing users of the machines with notices that explain basic safety precautions they should take when using the machines.

The state association supported this law, partly because it preempts city and county safety regulations. …